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California avocados are dropping from the trees because of triple digit temperatures that have been common since early July....Meanwhile, imports of Chilean mandarins have increased nearly five-fold during the past six years. Read full story →

Historically, the produce industry gives truck transportation and trucking rates little thought, unless they are having a problem getting their product loaded, or rates are on the rise. Well, both are happening. Read full story →

Using a Z482 2-cylinder diesel engine, compliant with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 standard, the Solara unit can generate 50,000 BTU/hour of heating at 0 degrees Fahrenheit ambient to protect against the freezing of sensitive commodities such as produce, beverages, flowers, plants, paints and chemicals, pharmaceuticals and more.

“The addition of the APX controller means Solara unit users now enjoy the same advantages found with our trailer refrigeration system controls,” said Patrick McDonald, product manager, trailer products, Carrier Transicold. “The modular APX system combines control intelligence, temperature control and system reliability with amazingly simple operation.”

The APX controller has an easy-to-read, full-information dashboard-style display and is preloaded with Carrier Transciold’s programmable IntelliSet™ software to easily create heating parameters for different commodities. With the APX controller, the DataLink™ data recorder is now integral to the Solara unit, and a USB port makes for easy data downloading and uploading of information to the controller. Built-in diagnostics simplify service and troubleshooting for technicians.

Flush-mount and surface-mount control panels, providing optional control placement on the outside or inside of the trailer

Fuel-level sensors

An open-door indicator

Shutdown switches

Users can choose from fuel tank options ranging from 30 gallons to up to 120 gallons.

For more information about the improved Solara heating unit, turn to the experts in Carrier Transicold’s North America dealer network.

About Carrier Transicold

Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature-controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 45 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.

Pleasanton, CA — DeltaTrak’s® FlashLink BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) Wireless Monitoring Solution allows receivers to read temperature history data from the FlashLink BLE Logger without opening the vehicle doors or locating the logger inside the truck. As soon as a vehicle arrives, the smart phone application accesses data from the logger from up to ~100 feet meters away, so information is available immediately upon arrival.

According to Frederick, president and CEO of DeltaTrak, “With the current security feature, shippers have the option to require receivers to enter an access code before they can see or download data from the BLE loggers. This gives them that extra layer of data security.” A smartphone app sends information from a mobile device to the BLE Web Application where it can be viewed remotely by authorized users. This solution is ideal for three types of applications which include 24/7 facility monitoring, pre-cooling operations, and delivery routes.

With the FlashLink BLE loggers, customers have secure access to data, immediate alert notifications, and reports in PDF and CSV formats. The FlashLink BLE logger helps suppliers maintain continuous visibility of temperature and humidity during facility monitoring and pre-cooling operations. It is ideal for thermal mapping and facility monitoring, such as in cold storage warehouses, distribution centers, greenhouses, temperature controlled processing, packing and staging areas.

Alert notifications are sent to personnel which allow them to take quick corrective action before products are compromised by changes in temperature conditions. With the FlashLink BLE Wireless Monitoring Solution, pre-cooling operations will improve efficiency, increase pallet throughput and extend product shelf life.

The loggers monitor produce in cooling tunnels and when required temperatures are reached alerts are sent via email or SMS notifications. Instead of pre-cooling based on time and relying on staff to take pulp temperature, this automates tracking and provides real-time temperature conditions during the process. Data can be analyzed by personnel to identify strengths and weaknesses of their operation, and assure that products are adequately cooled, while eliminating the problem of pallets not being cooled long enough.

FlashLink BLE Logger settings are customizable, including device name, logging interval, and high/low alarm limits. All data is available in the cloud, where temperature and location are reviewed remotely for tracking shipments in progress, making cold chain management decisions and reports for audits, HACCP and FSMA documentation.

AMSTERDAM — Reflecting the growing use of controlled-atmosphere (CA) technologies to maintain quality of fruits and vegetables over extended shipping times, Hamburg SÃ has transported more than 7,000 container shipments of perishable goods using Carrier Transicold’s innovative XtendFRESH atmosphere control system. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

At Intermodal Europe, held here this week, Carrier Transicold and Hamburg SÃ, one of the leading ocean carriers in the South American segment, discussed the shipping line’s increased application of the XtendFRESH system for avocados and bananas. Hamburg SÃ’s shipments using XtendFRESH technology increased in 2017, and the shipping line expects to use it with an even broader range of perishables in 2018.

“There is a great deal of enthusiasm on the part of exporters to use controlled-atmosphere technologies to reach new regions for their perishable goods,” said Stefan Duhring, global head of logistics at Hamburg SÃ. “The number of shipments using XtendFRESH technology represents a significant and growing segment of our refrigerated shipments.”

The XtendFRESH system simultaneously controls carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) levels in multiple combinations within a refrigerated shipping container to reduce respiration and the ripening of fruits and vegetables. This enables a shipping line to transport exported perishable goods over longer times than with refrigeration alone, helping to reach new destinations. Preserving perishables is further enhanced by the XtendFRESH system’s ability to remove ethylene, a hormone released by produce that can accelerate ripening if left unchecked. The system is the only CA solution with an integral ethylene removal capability.

Hamburg SÃ, which collaborated with Carrier Transicold on system capabilities and testing during the development of the XtendFRESH system, began acquiring Carrier Transicold PrimeLINE units equipped with XtendFRESH technology in 2014.

“We’ve had success using the XtendFRESH system for avocados and bananas in many of our key refrigerated trade lanes,”  said Durhring. “Our confidence in using XtendFRESH technology with higher-respiring perishables has led us to initiate plans to trial the system with shipments of South America-grown blueberries, a lower respiring fruit.”

Shipping lines appreciate that the XtendFRESH system offers a wider range of independent settings for CO2 and O2 levels than are possible with other systems.

“The wider range of settings, along with ethylene control, provide advantages for shipping lines in meeting the needs of exporters,” said Jim Taeckens, senior product manager, Carrier Transicold. “Additionally, the XtendFRESH system has no membrane filter to replace, as is common with some other systems, reducing maintenance requirements for fleets that offer it as an option for their customers.”

Responding to shipping line concerns about the learning curve with using CA technologies, Carrier Transicold provides training in the proper use of the XtendFRESH system and how to prepare a container prior to shipment. Taeckens added that to ensure optimal performance, containers must be in good condition with potential air leaks minimized through the use of a curtain wall at the door end of the container.

Helping to further boost performance, Carrier has worked with shipping lines on enhancements to the XtendFRESH system, including improved gaskets, advanced control software and a sensor to monitor operation of the ethylene and CO2 scrubber motor.

For more information about the XtendFRESH system or to conduct a trial, turn to the experts at Carrier Transicold or visit//www.carrier.com/container.

According to Frederick Wu, President and CEO of DeltaTrak, “With the new security feature, shippers have the option to require receivers to enter an access code before they can see or download data from the BLE loggers. This gives them that extra layer of data security.” A smartphone app sends information from a mobile device to the BLE Web Application where it can be viewed remotely by authorized users.

This solution is ideal for three types of applications which include 24/7 facility monitoring, pre-cooling operations, and delivery routes. With the FlashLink BLE loggers, customers have secure access to data, immediate alert notifications, and reports in PDF and CSV formats.

The FlashLink BLE logger helps suppliers maintain continuous visibility of temperature and humidity during facility monitoring and pre-cooling operations. It is especially ideal for 24/7 facility monitoring, such as cold storage warehouses, distribution centers, greenhouses, temperature controlled processing, packing and staging areas. Alert notifications are sent to personnel which allow them to take quick corrective action before products are compromised by changes in temperature conditions.

With the FlashLink BLE Wireless Monitoring Solution, pre-cooling operations will improve efficiency, increase pallet throughput and extend product shelf life. The loggers monitor produce in cooling tunnels and when required temperatures are reached alerts are sent via email or SMS notifications. Instead of pre-cooling based on time and relying on staff to take pulp temperature, this automates tracking and provides real-time temperature conditions during the process. Data can be analyzed by personnel to identify strengths and weaknesses of their operation, and assure that products are adequately cooled, while eliminating the problem of pallets not being cooled long enough.

For delivery routes, receivers can also read temperature history data from the FlashLink BLE Logger without opening the vehicle doors or locating the logger inside the truck. As soon as a vehicle arrives, the smart phone application accesses data from the logger from up to ~100 feet / 30 meters away, so information is available immediately upon arrival.

FlashLink BLE Logger settings are customizable, including device name, logging interval, and high/low alarm limits. All data is available in the cloud, where temperature and location are reviewed remotely for tracking shipments in progress, making cold chain management decisions and reports for audits, HACCP and FSMA documentation.

An agreement between the U.S. and Columbia is resulting in hass avocado imports. Meanwhile, a new refrigerated container is coming from Maersk.

Cartagena – The United States has given the green light for hass avocados to be imported from Colombia.

“Today I announce that the United States has reached an agreement for Colombia’s avocado hass to enter the US market. I want to congratulate you President (Juan Manuel) Santos and his Government, “said Vice President Mike Pence during the press conference following his bilateral meeting with President Santos during his official visit to Colombia.

Pence highlighted the progress of the Trade Agreement which he said has created jobs and opportunities in both nations.

This approval by the United States is a process in which the country has worked for more than 10 years and finally the admissibility was achieved to this destination.

“The United States is a market with a lot of potential that in 2016 imported about 2 billion pounds, almost 90 percent was bought from Mexico. So it is an opportunity that opens for Colombian producers, “said Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, María Claudia Lacouture.

The opening of the United States could mean for producers and exporters of avocado hass, doubling the exports that Colombia is making today to the world, which reached US $ 25.2 million as of June this year. Everything was sold to Europe.

“Europe is only half the US market, so opening up the latter destination means that exports could double. And we must have a high sense of responsibility to produce and sell with high quality standards, to safeguard the good image of this product, “said Jorge Alberto Uribe, representative of the firm Fruty Green.

New Refrigerated Container

Maersk Container Industry is introducing An energy meter with its Star Cool refrigerated containers is being introduced by Maersk Container Industry.

The new feature will monitor energy consumption during transportation, by land or sea. Star Cool reefers can now log energy consumption in real time, which can be monitored via a modem or manually.

“Taking our 270,000 reefer containers online has provided significant operational cost savings and will give our customers unprecedented visibility into their cargo during transport, enabling better planning across their supply chains,” said Catja Hjorth Rasmussen, head of equipment excellence at Tinglev, Denmark-based Maersk Line, said in a news release. “Being able to accurately track the energy consumption of individual Star Cool reefer containers is a valuable add on for us.”

The new energy meter means operators will not need third-party devices to capture energy data.

Pleasanton, CA. — DeltaTrak® recently announced the release of its new FlashLink Real-Time Monitoring Solution. This system combines the FlashLink Real-Time In-Transit Logger cloud service. The logger records temperature, humidity, shock, light and location and sends data via GSM cellular network to a web account. Reliable up-to-the-minute information is accessed with a standard web browser using a PC or any internet-ready device.

“The FlashLink Real-Time In-Transit Logger is especially beneficial to shippers because they don’t have to wait for a receiver to open vehicle doors, find the logger, download it and email the trip history report,” according to Fred Wu, President and CEO of DeltaTrak. “Information is automatically uploaded to the cloud and shared between shippers and receivers, and critical cold chain management decisions can be made right away.” The stored data is also available for traceability, audits, HACCP documentation and FSMA compliance.

Two logger configurations are available, a domestic model with a 25-day logging duration and data uploaded every 15 minutes, and an export model with a 100- day logging duration and data uploaded every hour. Shippers can customize high/low alarm settings, and alerts are automatically sent when out-of-range conditions occur. The logger also measures shock which indicates rough handling of a load, and a light sensor indicates door openings which either means a shipment arrived and is being received, or it can reveal security issues if this occurs while the shipment is still in transit.

The single use FlashLink Real-Time Logger is packaged in DeltaTrak’s unique and highly durable logger sleeve which provides protection for the device and maximizes reliable operational characteristics. Using GSM cellular data transmission technology, the FlashLink Real-Time Logger has been demonstrated to reliably transmit from within steel shipping containers and refrigerated trailers making it ideal for use in most transportation applications. The FlashLink Real-Time In-Transit Logger is a great solution for anyone that needs up to the minute information on the quality of the products being shipped.

About DeltaTrak

DeltaTrak® is a leading innovator of cold chain management, environmental monitoring and food safety solutions for the food, produce, life science, and chemical industries.Additional information can be found at www.deltatrack.com.

ATHENS, GA — Carrier Transicold will begin offering the new-generation refrigerant R-452A as an alternative for use in its truck and trailer refrigeration systems, following the July 21 announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency has approved the refrigerant for transport refrigeration applications.

Developed by the refrigerant manufacturing industry to reduce environmental impact, R-452A has a global warming potential (GWP) that is almost half that of R 404A, the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant used in most land-based transport refrigeration applications. Carrier Transicold will offer the new refrigerant as an option to R-404A later this year.

“As a near drop-in substitute, R-452A offers similar levels of refrigeration performance, fuel efficiency, reliability and refrigerant charge in new equipment as R 404A, and we are pleased to be able to make it available to refrigerated transport operators seeking a lower GWP option to advance environmental sustainability,” said David Brondum, director, product management and sustainability, North America Truck, Trailer, Rail, Carrier Transicold.

R-452A is a refrigerant blend with a low-GWP hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) as one of its key components.

“Carrier Transicold has extensive experience with R-452A, having first offered it in 2015 to help Europe’s transport refrigeration industry respond to the European Union F Gas Regulation, which is driving down Europe’s use of traditional HFC refrigerants with higher GWPs,” Brondum explained. Extensive work has been done by Carrier Transicold in preparation for a similar transition in the U.S.

Brondum noted that the EPA has not banned R-404A for transport refrigeration applications, enabling refrigerated haulers to choose the option best suited for their operations. This allows for considerations of price and availability, fleet size and maintenance budgets.

“Going forward, fleets may want to consult with their Carrier Transicold dealers to determine which refrigerant solution is appropriate,” Brondum said.

While Carrier Transicold will continue to offer R-404A, it will also provide R-452A as an option for new model Vector™ and X4™ Series trailer refrigeration units, Supra® truck units and direct-drive truck units that currently use R 404A. The new refrigerant can also be used as a drop-in replacement for Carrier Transicold units already in service, although certain older models may require component retrofits or software updates, which can be accommodated through Carrier Transicold’s network of authorized dealers.

“Carrier Transicold’s larger goal of reducing the GWP of its transport refrigeration equipment goes well beyond the benefits of R-452A,” Brondum noted. “We are committed to pursuing the commercialization of HFC-free refrigerants in road transportation refrigeration by building upon our expertise with CO2 refrigerant, also known as R-744.”

CO2 refrigerant has a GWP of only 1, roughly 2,000 times better than R 452A and 4,000 times better than R-404A. It is also nonflammable, non-ozone-depleting, globally available and cost effective. Carrier has successfully applied CO2 refrigerant in CO2OLtec® stationary commercial refrigeration systems widely used throughout Europe, in NaturaLINE® container refrigeration systems used by major container shipping lines in support of global commerce, and prototype trailer refrigeration trials with two major European supermarket chains.

Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 45 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.transicold.carrier.com. Follow Carrier on Twitter: @SmartColdChain.

Do you ship human food? What about perishable animal food? If so, the Sanitary Transportation of Food Rule, which is a part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), will take effect on April 1 and impact many in our industry.

We have received a variety of questions around this ruling and what shippers and carriers need to do to prepare. In this blog post, Chris McLoughlin, risk manager at C.H. Robinson, and I will cover what you need to know.

Three key takeaways:

Which products are subject to the rule? The rule applies to items that are shipped open to the air, temperature controlled for safety, or shipped in bulk trailers or tankers via truck or rail. The emphasis here is on food shipped for safety, not quality. Many people think produce is covered under the temperature controlled rule, but most produce is not—with a few exceptions, it’s more commonly only subject to the open container portion of the rule. This distinction is important, as the purpose is not to create undue burden or throw away product which is safe for human or animal consumption.

When does the rule go into effect? There are different implementation dates for small and large carriers and small and large shippers. However, most shippers expect all carriers and transportation providers, regardless of size, to fully comply with the rule at the earliest date of April 2017.

How does the Sanitary Transportation of Food rule connect to FSMA? The Sanitary Transportation of Food rule is only one rule of several under FSMA. Each of the rules stands on its own. The language, definitions, and applicability of each rule varies. You should take time to understand the scope of each rule. Especially if you’re in the produce world, you may find that your product is exempt from one rule, but included in another.

I want to reiterate that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated this rule is not intended to impose significant new requirements in the industry—in fact, the industry is already completing steps within the rule. The rule is simply a restatement or formal recognition of industry best practices and the requirement to document these processes.

Impact on Produce Shipping

When it comes to the produce world, it’s important to think about the role each company plays in the movement of goods under this rule. Are you the one calling the shots for how the product is delivered? (Often, the person or organization determining needs is a retailer or wholesaler.) If you are the one tendering the load, you are considered the “shipper” under this rule and are responsible for defining specific obligations.

ATHENS, GA — For refrigerated haulers who require independent verification of temperatures inside trucks and trailers or immediate documentation for receivers, Carrier Transicold now offers the DataLink™ 2 recorder. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

For single-temperature or multi-temperature applications, the DataLink 2 system uses up to three independent temperature sensors, providing an added layer of verification beyond the refrigeration system’s built-in recording ability. An integral thermal printer lets drivers quickly and easily produce numerical and graphical trip reports for receivers. Additionally, data can be downloaded into a personal computer for electronic logging.

“Increasingly, haulers of pharmaceuticals, perishable and frozen foods, and other temperature-critical goods are using temperature monitoring and reporting capabilities, with temperature accountability a growing focus following the release of the transportation rules of the Food Safety Modernization Act,” said Mark Fragnito, product manager, controls, Carrier Transicold. “The DataLink 2 recorder may help food distribution operations easily track and manage this kind of information for compliance.”

Beyond its primary use as an independent temperature monitoring and reporting device, the DataLink 2 recorder provides additional advantages as a comprehensive analytical tool when connected to a Carrier Transicold refrigeration unit’s control system. Temperature data captured from its own sensors can be correlated against activities recorded by the control system, helping to identify potential sources of temperature excursions.

Designed for plug-and-play simplicity, the DataLink 2 recorder auto-detects which Carrier Transicold controller it is connected to, whether an APX™ or Advance® controller or the standard microprocessor. Setup is done through a “soft menu” system keyed to four buttons located just below the device’s backlit display screen. Two recorder styles are offered: body-mount models that attach to either a truck or trailer cargo area, and an in-dash DIN-mount version for more convenient driver access on straight truck applications.

For more information about the DataLink 2 recorder, turn to the experts within Carrier Transicold’s North America dealer network.

About Carrier Transicold

Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 45 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.transicold.carrier.com. Follow Carrier on Twitter: @SmartColdChain.

RENO, NV – Progistix®, a technology company based out of Nevada, is excited to launch Freightflow®, the next generation of a cloud-based transportation management system (TMS), at Fresh Summit in Orlando, FL. Designed specifically for the produce industry, Freightflow gives users complete visibility to their transportation planning, execution and settlement needs without costly technology investments.

Freightflow is the result of a shared vision between two logistics and produce veterans, Butch Peri and Bud Floyd. After spending decades in industries rooted in repetitive tasks and incompatible business systems, their goal was simple: to develop the next generation of an easy-to-use TMS solution that levels the playing field and allows small and medium businesses to compete in today’s complex transportation industry.

Turning vision into reality, Peri and Floyd assembled a team of software experts to develop an affordable, scalable system built using the newest cloud-based technology. Freightflow’s overarching platform integrates ERP business software with transportation tools to provide complete supply chain visibility from a single platform.

“Freightflow combines critical business components and key capabilities into a unified, easy-to-use platform that ensures reliability, security and scalability,” remarked Kyle Jaster, chief technology officer at Freightflow. “We believe the tools and data we’re offering can help any business succeed— without any start up investments.”

According to Jaster, a recent partnership with Truckstop.com will provide customers direct access to carrier contact and policy information, certificates of insurance, limits and expiration dates, along with DOT safety ratings and authority data on more than 200,000 carriers. “Combining the power of Freightflow with Truckstop.com will make it even easier to add qualified carriers to your preferred providers.”

Freightflow experts will be on hand at Fresh Summit to provide demos and discuss the benefits of this cloud-based solution to those interested in managing their complex, dynamic logistics and trade operation. For an appointment, contact Bud Floyd at 1-845-TMS-2345 or bud@freightflow.co.

Questions about this release can be directed Bud Floyd or Kyle Jaster at info@freightflow.co or 1-845-TMS-2345.

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California avocados are dropping from the trees because of triple digit temperatures that have been common since early July....Meanwhile, imports of Chilean mandarins have increased nearly five-fold during the past six years. Read full story →

Historically, the produce industry gives truck transportation and trucking rates little thought, unless they are having a problem getting their product loaded, or rates are on the rise. Well, both are happening. Read full story →